Prolific composer Audy Kimura has turned to environmental concerns in his newest media endeavor. With partner Dean Sensui, the photographer-videographer, Kimura has completed "Be An Everyday Environmental Hero" spots for the City & County of Honolulu, premiering on local stations this week.

Kimura and Sensui, who produce OC-16's top-rated "Hawai'i Goes Fishing" TV show, have tapped Dave Lancaster to narrate protect-the-ocean messages (such as keeping dirt on land where it belongs, away from reefs and beaches) and utilized a flower floating down a stream to convey the "mountains to the ocean" ahupua'a concept.

Other Kimura-Sensui TV spots for "Fishing & Seafood Festival," "Battery Bill" and Charley's Taxi have kept the duo busy. For the Battery Bill jingle, Kimura — still widely known for his "Lovers and Friends" hit of yesteryear — journeyed outside his comfort zone and did a hip-hop ditty performed by Mel Cabang, the local comedian.

Of course, Kimura has been anchored at Hy's Steak House, where he does his soothing vocals-backed-by-guitar stint. Book a table, enjoy a steak, then rediscover his calming and relaxing demeanor. ...

WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Olympic Gold Medalist Bryan Clay, a hero 'round the world, will appear and promote health awareness at Kids Fest, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at Bishop Museum. It'll be a grand opportunity to see "The World's Greatest Athlete" and secure autographs. Kids Fest is a splendid family-oriented activity, so log it on your things-to-do calendar. Admission is free. ...

Leslie Wilcox's sublime "Long Story Short" chat with 'ukulele guru Roy Sakuma will be rebroadcast this and next week. The first of the two-parter will air at 7:30 p.m. today and the second at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 on PBS Hawai'i. It starts out with a startling revelation about his childhood, with a seriously mentally ill mother and older brother, and how he survived those shadowy beginnings to ultimately carve a path to a bright performing career and a happy family life — devoid of the pain and doubt of his early years. A gotta-see. ...

HITHER 'N' YON: We were in Hilo a couple of days last week, tooling around in a car rental, and it was a pleasant surprise to hear that melodious and familiar radio voice absent on Honolulu radio for too long: Skylark, aka Jacqueline Rossetti. Skylark hosts the Midday Kanikapila, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays on KAPA FM, and spins some actual long-play tracks from vintage Hawaiian albums, so the mix is territorial to statehood to now. The drive to Pa'auilo was breezy with Ledward Ka'apana singing and strumming. ...

Manoa DNA, the father-and-sons trio, has returned from treks to Tokyo, Sapporo and Hiroshima, and should remain through the holidays. While in Hiroshima, Honolulu's sister city, the group shot some footage for a special documentary commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Honolulu-Hiroshima sister-city ties. According to patriarch Lloyd Kawakami of the group, his mom, Edith, whose parents immigrated to Hawai'i from Hiroshima, was stunned to learn that she had relatives in the town of Aki-ohta-cho, just outside Hiroshima city. "The producers discovered this while doing their research and decided to arrange a surprise reunion," said Kawakami. "Needless to say, it was quite an emotional moment for everyone involved." ...

When Kaimuki High School class of 1951 had its reunion recently in Las Vegas, Honoka'a native Poncie Ponce, who was Kim the cabbie on the "Hawaiian Eye" TV series, entertained the group. Not only that, he brought along his comic sidekick, Kamaka Brown. Both live in Southern California but make pilgrimages to "the ninth Island" (Vegas) when Hawaiiana missions call. ...

TRADE WINDS: Jasmine Trias' return to the Society of Seven Las Vegas stage at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel means there's a renewed jolt of energy and joy onstage. She's mastered her pace and her impressions, sharing laughter and lunacy with the guys in the band, who demonstrate brotherly support of the "American Idol" finalist. She holds her own as a soloist and collaborator. ...

Congrats to Islander Julie Uyemura, manager of the Waipi'o Outback Steakhouse, who recently received one of the nation's top honors, the President's Volunteer Service Award, for her tireless dedication to the community. Her anti-drug initiatives and her work with the Mililani community prompted U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo to award the distinction to Uyemura, on behalf of President Bush. "I have always just followed what my parents told me — work hard and do my best," said Uyemura about the honor. ...